At Makerere University, the journey toward inclusive education is steadily gaining ground, thanks in part to the establishment of the Disability Support Centre, an initiative that is already reshaping the experiences of students with disabilities.

For Fatuma Nabulime, a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, the centre represents more than just a physical space on campus, it is a symbol of dignity, access, and possibility.

“I was very excited when it was launched,” she recalls. “I knew it would help bridge the gap between students with disabilities and the university system.”

A Journey Marked by Resilience

Fatuma, who uses a wheelchair, joined Makerere University in 2022 under the disability scheme. Like many students with disabilities, her academic journey was defined by both determination and structural barriers.

While she describes her overall university experience as positive, thanks largely to supportive lecturers and peers, she is candid about the challenges that existed before the centre was established.

Accessing study materials, for instance, was often a struggle. “Sometimes we were required to buy printed notes from far places, and I didn’t always have the money,” she explains. “There was also limited access to assistive devices.”

Physical accessibility posed an even greater challenge. Some lecture rooms were located in buildings without ramps or functioning elevators. On several occasions, Fatuma had to be carried upstairs to attend lectures, a situation she describes as both inconvenient and humiliating.

A Turning Point for Inclusion

The introduction of the Disability Support Centre marked a turning point.

Today, students like Fatuma can access printed notes, use computers for research, and receive academic support tailored to their needs. For students with visual or hearing impairments, the centre provides assistive devices and services that were previously unavailable.

Beyond these practical interventions, the centre is also playing a crucial role as a bridge between students and academic staff.

“There are lecturers who may not fully understand how to support students with disabilities,” Fatuma notes. “The centre helps to mediate and create understanding.”

In one instance, when she faced challenges with her research project, staff from the centre intervened and engaged her supervisors to ensure she received the support she needed. “That really made a difference,” she says.

Changing Attitudes, Building Awareness

Equally important is the centre’s role in challenging misconceptions and raising awareness across the university community.

Fatuma points to an incident where a lecturer dismissed a sign language interpreter, unaware of the student’s needs. Such experiences, she says, highlight the continued need for sensitization.

“Awareness is improving, but more still needs to be done,” she emphasizes.

Despite these gaps, Fatuma acknowledges a growing culture of empathy among students. “Many students are supportive. Someone can offer you a seat or assist when needed,” she says, though she adds that occasional bias and misunderstanding still persist.

The Work Ahead

While the Disability Support Centre has made significant strides, Fatuma believes that true inclusion will require sustained effort.

She calls for improved physical infrastructure, ramps, elevators, and accessible buildings across campus, as well as continued awareness campaigns targeting both staff and students.

“The university needs to become fully accessible,” she says. “Not just in policy, but in practice.”

A Future Inspired by Inclusion

For Fatuma, the impact of the centre goes beyond her academic success. It has shaped her confidence and career aspirations.

“My university experience taught me how to overcome challenges and speak up for myself,” she reflects. “It inspired me to pursue social work so I can support others and advocate for inclusion.”

As she looks ahead, she hopes to work with communities and organizations that promote access to education and social services for people with disabilities.

A Centre That Changes Lives

The story of Fatuma is just one among many, but it captures the transformative potential of inclusive initiatives within higher education.

The Disability Support Centre at Makerere University is not merely addressing barriers, it is redefining what is possible for students with disabilities. By fostering access, dignity, and opportunity, it is ensuring that no student is left behind.

And for students like Fatuma, that change is already life-changing.

FACT FILE

• The centre was opened in July 2024 with support from MasterCard Foundation
• The University has 156 Students with disabilities
• The centre has received equipment worth Shs60m from the Endowment Fund/ Mak Run
• The university has received a bus from Kiira Motors to transport students with disabilities across the university 
• Service provided by the centre include;  
  • Accessible Computers installed with Screen readers (JAWS AND FUSION)
  • Braille Embossing
  • Large Printing
  • Access to refreshable braille displays
  • Audio book reading etc.

The handover of Makerere University’s Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA from Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta to Prof. Henry Alinaitwe was marked by appreciation of accomplishments registered during the former’s term and reassurance of their continuation by the incoming office bearer. The ceremony, held during the Top Management meeting of 4^th May 2026, was presided over by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali and guided by the Deputy Chief Internal Auditor, CPA Agnes Khwaka as Members of Top Management witnessed.

Presenting the handover report on behalf of Prof. Ireeta who is away on duties related to the Materials Research Society, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala shared a number of accomplishments from 20^th February 2025 to 30^th April 2026. They included:

• Increase in parking revenue from UGX6million to UGX100million per month
• Increase in rental income from UGX 286.3million to UGX612.3million per annum
• Implementation of Digitization and performance-based systems that improved accountability, staff engagement and service deliver
• Enforcement of the Staff Housing Policy
• Strengthening of the Financial Management System, Advancement of e-procurement and Integration of institutional systems that improved efficiency, transparency and decision making
• Online processing of Staff Housing Applications and advancements in development of the Student Accommodation System
• Improved Security and Campus Management through enhanced surveillance courtesy of improved CCTV systems, improved coordination and enforcement operations  
• Improved Student Accommodation through renovation of Halls of Residence, introduction of Resident Tutors and removal of illegal occupants
• Strengthened Grants Mobilisation and Management supported by strong grants portfolio and development of digital systems for improved structure and compliance in collaboration with the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS)
• Repositioning Makerere University Holdings Limited to strengthen asset management and revenue generation

Prof. Alinaitwe who previously served as Acting (Ag.) DVCFA from 16^th November 2021 to 19^th February 2025 congratulated Prof. Ireeta upon the various accomplishments registered during his term. He equally pledged to work with colleagues who vied for the same position i.e. Prof. Ireeta and Prof. Eria Hisali to bring their ideas on board for the good of Makerere University. On behalf of the University Management, Prof. Sarah Ssali presented Prof. Ireeta (in absentia) with a plaque in appreciation of his dedicated and exemplary service as Ag. DVCFA.

_{By Moses Lutaaya}

A strong message of transformation, resilience, and purpose defined the orientation of PhD Cohort 11 (2025/2026) held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Makerere University School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, with academic leaders urging students to rethink what it means to pursue doctoral education in the 21^st century.

Presiding over the function, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, delivered an expansive and deeply reflective message, challenging the new doctoral candidates to embrace a fundamentally different academic journey.

Welcoming the students, he reminded them that their admission followed a highly competitive process, placing them among a select group entrusted with shaping the future through research.

“You have come from a competitive pool of deserving Ugandans to embark on a journey that may turn out to be the most challenging in your life, but also the most transformative and rewarding intellectual experience,” he said.

Drawing a clear distinction between earlier academic stages and doctoral study, Prof. Buyinza emphasized that PhD candidates must now take full ownership of their learning journey.“The first time you were here, someone was driving you. This time, you are going to sit in your own seat and drive it.”

He stressed that doctoral study is not a quick academic exercise but a long-term intellectual commitment requiring discipline and endurance. A PhD is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Don’t burn out so fast. Build your stamina, be consistent, and be resilient.”

In a powerful reflection on global change, he noted that today’s complex challenges can no longer be solved within single disciplines. “No single discipline can solve the challenges of the day. You need multi-disciplinarily, inter-disciplinarily, and collaboration to address complex problems.”

He urged students to abandon disciplinary silos and embrace collaborative thinking. “Gone are the days when one discipline could despise another. The world has changed; we need all of these fields working together.”

Prof. Buyinza further emphasized the shift from the information age to the innovation age, challenging students to move beyond consuming knowledge to producing new ideas. “Artificial intelligence can tell us the known. For you, we want you to tell us the unknown.”

He dismantled the traditional image of isolated doctoral study, calling it outdated in the modern academic environment. “That mental image of being hidden away in a library for years is outdated. A PhD in 2026 is very different and the landscape has changed dramatically.”

He emphasized that success in doctoral education depends heavily on collaboration and global academic engagement. “No scholar has ever flourished in isolation. Success today requires peer-to-peer collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and a global mindset.”

In a striking moment, he reframed failure as an essential part of the research process. “Ninety-nine percent of what you try may fail, but the PhD is about using that failure as data to improve your next step.”

He also cautioned against overdependence on artificial intelligence, stressing academic integrity and independent thinking. “Use AI to strengthen your thinking—not to replace it. There are no ghostwriters in scholarship. You must be the thinker.”

Addressing mental health, he urged students to build supportive academic communities. A PhD can be emotionally exhausting. Build communities around you. Take care of your mental health, we need you alive.”

He further called for structured planning and accountability in the doctoral journey. “Write your study plan from day one, how you will move from semester one to semester six. This must be well-structured, well-managed, and supervised.”

Warning against perfectionism, he added: “Perfection is the enemy of completion. If you want everything to be perfect, you may never finish. The world will judge you immediately as a PhD holder. It has no time for excuses. You must be ready.”

In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, welcomed the cohort and reinforced the university’s structured approach to doctoral education.

He explained that the cohort system is designed to ensure students progress together and support one another throughout their studies. “You are coming in as a group, and we have put systems in place to ensure you move as a group. This reduces the feeling that you are alone.”

He emphasized that doctoral research must be aligned with national and global priorities. “You are not here for research for its own sake. Your research must be fit for purpose and aligned to the challenges facing society.”

He reminded students of the structured three-year timeline for completion. “We have a contract with you for three years. It may look long, but it is also short. It requires commitment and responsibility on both sides.”

On technology, he cautioned against intellectual dependency on artificial intelligence. “AI is part of our reality, but it must not take over your thinking. Do not outsource the skills you are supposed to acquire.”

He concluded by reaffirming institutional support while stressing student responsibility. “We will do everything possible to ensure you complete in time, but you must also play your part.”

Speaking on behalf of the students, PhD outgoing President Habibu Malyamungu encouraged his colleagues to embrace practical habits and peer support systems.

He urged students to celebrate their achievement but remain grounded in discipline. “You need to congratulate yourselves for joining this program, it is a very important step.”

He challenged the perception that PhD study must be unnecessarily long and difficult.“A PhD is not necessarily a long journey. Sometimes simple things, like writing a few paragraphs before checking your phone can make a big difference.”

He emphasized the importance of collaboration among students.“A colleague can give you a solution that helps you overcome a problem in seconds.”

He further announced psychosocial support initiatives aimed at improving student well-being. “We are planning sessions to help you relax, engage, and relieve stress. These moments are important and they help the brain reset.”

The event closed with a unified message: doctoral training at Makerere University is evolving into a journey of innovation, interdisciplinary, and real-world problem solving—anchored in collaboration and resilience.